Hello forum members,

I am currently thinking about buying a used 1997 850 (base model) for 2500$. I researched as best I could for other info on used 850, but couldn't find a good answer. So I appologize if I'm bringing up a common post.

Anyways, my concern is this: the car has 260 K. I've read stuff about Volvos lasting quite some time, but I'm wondering what I'm getting myself into with this car. It seems to have been well maintained, clutch replaced and transmission rebuilt (I guess this could be good or bad) all with one owner.

I know 10+ years on a car is kind of pushing it, and there will be issues that come up, but is there anything else I should know about the 850?

any help would be appreciated,
thanks

 

First of all, I would look further to see if you can find a turbocharged 850 for that money. The cost of maintenance & gas mileage are not much different but the performance is.

The first thing you need to check on a used 850 is when the timing belt was replaced. The belt has to be done at every 70,000 miles or 5 years. The idler pulley, tensioner pulley & the tensioner should be (not mandatory but recommended) at every other belt change.

Make sure the car comes with a full service record and have a Volvo tech do a pre-purchase inspections. Also, rubber parts (tyres, belts, bushings, seals, etc...) generally start to deteriorate after 5 years or so.

Here are some of the common issues:

- The air conditioning compressor may need to be re-shimmed.
- The air conditioning evaporator is known to go bad no matter what. This is nested in the deepest abyss of the dash and takes several hours of labour.
- The ABS module is known to go bad but can be fixed & upgraded by some vendors.
- Check Engine Light may turn on due to components such as the O2 sensors, MAF sensors, Cam Position Sensor, ECT sensor, etc...
- The front upper spring mounts are known to go bad.
- If not well-maintained, the automatic tranny may exhibit some problems. Manual tranny, not available for the U.S 850 turbo, seems durable though.
- The PCV components, if never done, needs to be done.
- The fuel pump & pump relay are known to go bad.

Bad news: You would have to expect some $ to make it as good as it should be.
Good news: If you can turn wrenches, we can help you do many of the repairs by yourself.

My 1st & 2nd replies at the following thread may help:
https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

I hope this is of some ref. Wait for others replies as well.


JPN

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into it.

Much appreciated

 

I would not buy a 97 base model (non turbo) for $2500 with 260K on it. About 1.5 years ago my daughter gota 95 850 Turbo wagon with around 120K on it for $3,000. It needed some work, but even with everything they did to it, it came to around $4,000. If anything they have come down in price since then due to age and the economy.

 

Maybe I should correct myself, when I said 260 K I was thinking kilometers (Canadian mistake), so make that 160 000 miles. Considering this, would it be more worthwhile?

 

My wifes 850 has 230K and runs like new and she drives 100 miles a day.

 

That would make a difference (160k vs. 260k0, but I still think I would look for a turbo model for the same amount of money. When my daughter bought hers she test drove one w/o a turbo and said no way even though the car was actually in better shape and she liked the color better. Once you drive the turbo model you will see the difference.